Since the February 2011 earthquake - which killed nearly 200 people and devastated city infrastructure - she has been a team leader for Aurecon Ltd, leading a team of 6-10 engineering geologists undertaking rockfall remediation, land movement monitoring and cliff collapse assessment work in the Port Hills.

She has taken full advantage of the opportunity to work closely with international and New Zealand experts on landslide/rockfall assessment and remediation; she is also playing an active part in the community-led redevelopment scheme for the Sumner area of Christchurch, where she lives.

She holds a Masters degree in Engineering Geology from the University of Leeds, is a Chartered Geologist through the Geological Society of London, and is currently undertaking further study on engineering and construction management. She is a member of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society, and the International Association of Engineering Geologists.

In Christchurch, she also pursues climbing, sailing, skiing, mountain biking, surfing, tramping, squash and tennis, mountain biking and adventure races, and has used her sporting interests to raise significant amounts of money for charities.